A woman from Hubei province tried to sell her 8-year-old grandson in an attempt to save her sick son's life.

Liu Xiaoying, 57, was seen on her knees holding up a poster near a food market on Wednesday.  The poster said her son, 30-year-old He Dusai, was suffering from acute leukemia.

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The family reportedly needs US$47,700 to fund He's bone marrow transplant.

 Liu offered to sell her grandson for precisely this amount in order to raise money for the procedure.

People had notified the police, who immediately came to intervene, warning Liu that they would take the boy away if she attempted to sell him again.

He Dusai and his wife said they were unaware that their son was being offered up for sale.

The household, who had already sold the family truck and mortgaged off their home in order to cover earlier medical expenses, now find themselves left with few options.

"We have no other means. We just hope some kind-hearted people will help save our son," said Liu's husband.

Local businessmen were reportedly moved by the plight of the poverty-stricken family and were considering funding He's bone marrow operation.